“Don’t believe in magic. Believe in yourself.”

This is an incredibly corny, not particularly well-made TV movie from the 80s, but it all comes down to that one line in the end and ultimately I think it’s an amazing message that makes the movie worth a watch. For its first half, it is very like Bridge to Terabithia, with the Leslie character seemingly being some kind of apparition only Ben Wagner can see, but it takes a turn halfway and really comes down to earth.

The performances are about as shaky as you’d expect from a TV production of the time, but most of the players, in particular Bettina Rae as the “school witch” Regina and Elizabeth Shelmray as Ben’s older sister, certainly have their moments. The more seasoned Sylvia Sidney delivers the most solid performance as Regina’s grandma. I really liked the music, too, not a synth sound to be heard

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